Knockbridge retain title

KNOCKBRIDGE retained their Louth hurling crown yesterday, defeating Pearse Óg at Louth Village.
The champions opened up a six-point lead and were coasting when Trevor Hillard struck a David Kettle cross past Stephen Smith towards the end of the first-half, but Mattie Boland threw Pearse Óg a lifeline before half-time when he turned in a John O'Brien centre.
Still, the Dundalk side trailed by 1-11 to 1-4 at the break, but took advantage of a strong wind in the opening stages of the new half.
Knockbridge didn't score until the 53rd minute as Pearse Óg closed the gap to four. With a minute of normal time left, Mark Rafferty made it a one-point game.
However, Donal McNally and man-of-the-match Ronan Byrne sealed the win with points in injury-time.